Spirit Day was first established in 2010 by Canadian teenager Brittany McMillan. It was created in response to a series of bullying related suicides of LGBT2Q+ students in 2010. This day encourages everyone to speak out against 2SLGBTQ+ bullying and standing with 2SLGBTQ youth, who disproportionately face bullying and harassment because of their identities.
On this day, supporters wear purple as a way to visibly show solidarity with queer youth and to honour 2SLGBTQIA+ victims of suicide.
The name “Spirit Day” comes from the purple stripe of the Rainbow flag which represents ‘spirit’.